Apparatus and method for dispensing unused animal waste bag and carrying used animal waste bag

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a dispenser and carrier for bags, and, more specifically, to a device for use in a method for dispensing unused animal waste bags and also to a device and method for carrying both unused animal waste bags and used animal waste bags. The device may be constructed so as to be either permanently affixed, such as a sewn connection, or removably affixable to a strap, such as a leash.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present general inventive concept relates generally to a dispenserand carrier for bags, and, more specifically, to a dispenser fordispensing unused animal waste bags and also carrying used animal wastebags. The dispenser is constructed so as to be removably affixable to astrap, such as, for one example, a leash.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A wide variety of potential embodiments will become more clearlyunderstood from the following detailed description of certain exemplaryembodiments, read together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the presentgeneral inventive concept in an open position;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the presentgeneral inventive concept in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the presentgeneral inventive concept in a dosed position and removably affixed to achain;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the presentgeneral inventive concept in use;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of the presentgeneral inventive concept in a closed position and removably affixed toa strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description may recite various descriptive termssuch as horizontal, vertical, top, bottom, upward, downward, left,right, etc., when referring to the exemplary figures, but the presentgeneral inventive concept is not limited to any such terms or physicalorientations. Such terms are used for convenience of description only,and could be reversed, modified, or interchanged without departing fromthe broader scope and spirit of the present general inventive concept.

The present general inventive concept, in some of its embodiments, caninclude a chamber having an inner surface, an outer surface, an enclosedbottom and an attached top. In some embodiments, the attached topremovably closes upon the outer surface of the chamber. In someexemplary embodiments, the attached top contains an opening integratedinto the attached top, such as, for one example, a slit. The outersurface of the chamber can contain at least two attachment points—thefirst attachment point for removably attaching the apparatus onto astrap, chain, leash, lead line, harness line, or similar device forrestraining a pet, and the second attachment point for removablyattaching a used animal waste bag to the chamber so as to minimize theneed for human interaction with the used animal waste bag, i.e., thereis no need to carry the used animal waste bag in one's hand. In someembodiments, the attached top is closeable; in such embodiments, themeans of closure can be any of a number of devices (known in the art)such as, for example, a snap, a button, or hook and loop closurematerial.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, chamber 101 includes an inner surface 101 aand an outer surface 101 b, a bottom 111 and a top 102. Top 102 isfurther defined to have an inner surface 102 a and an outer surface 102b. In some embodiments, top 102 is removably attachable to chamber 101,by means known in the art, such as, for one example, hook 107 and loop108 material. In some embodiments, optional pull tab 109 is attached totop 102 to enhance ease of opening top 102 from chamber 101. In someexemplary embodiments, opening 103 is throughcut through top 102, thusproviding a means of threading an individual, unused waste bag off roll110 of unused waste bags through opening 103 for ready access when top102 is in a closed (removably attached) position upon outer surface 101b of chamber 101. Clip 105 is attached to outer surface 101 b of chamber101 and provides a means of removably attaching the present generalinventive concept to a strap, such as a leash. Clip 104 is attached toouter surface 101 b of chamber 101 and provides a means of removablyattaching a used waste bag to outer surface 101 b chamber 101. Optionalpanel 106 may be attached to outer surface 101 b of chamber 101 toprovide ornamentation, such as, for one example, a panel of colorcontrasting material, or, for another example, a brand logo.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example embodiment of the present generalinventive concept in a closed position, where top 102 is removablyattached to (closed upon) outer surface 101 b of chamber 101. Unusedwaste bag 110 is threaded through opening 103 for ready dispensing. Clip105 is ready to attach the present general inventive concept to a strap201, such as a leash. Optionally, clip 105 may be attached to outersurface 101 b of chamber 101 by use of a contrasting patch 205, forornamental purposes or, alternatively, for reinforced structuralintegrity and extended wear and use of the device.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example embodiment of the present generalinventive concept in a closed position, where clip 105 is removablyattached to a chain 301, such as, for one example, a chain leash. Unusedwaste bag 110 is exposed via opening 103 (see FIGS. 1 & 2) in top 102for ease of access.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example embodiment of the present generalinventive concept in use. Here, the device is removably attached to astrap 201, such as a leash. A used bag 410 can be tied and insertedthrough clip 104, thus providing a hands-free means of transportinganimal waste until such time as proper, permanent disposal is available.

FIG. 5 illustrates illustrating an example embodiment of the presentgeneral inventive concept in a closed position and removably affixed toa strap 201, such as leash. Optional additional clip 510 serves toprovide a means of attachment between the present general inventivedevice and strap 201.

Still other embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled inthis art from reading the above-cited detailed description in view ofall the drawings. It is noted that the simplified diagrams do notillustrate all the various connections and assemblies of the variouscomponents, however, those skilled in the art will understand how toimplement such connections and assemblies, based on the illustratedcomponents, figures, and descriptions provided herein.

While the present general inventive concept has been illustrated bydescription of some embodiments, and while the illustrative embodimentshave been described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicantto restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to suchdetail. Additional modifications will readily appear to those skilled inthe art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limitedto the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, andillustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures maybe made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope ofapplicant's general inventive concept.

It is also noted that numerous variations, modifications, and additionalembodiments are possible, and, accordingly, all such variations,modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within thespirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. For example,regardless of the content of any portion of this application, unlessclearly specified to the contrary, there is no requirement for theinclusion in any claim herein or of any application claiming priorityhereto of any particular described or illustrated activity or element,any particular sequence of such activities, or any particularinterrelationship of such elements. Moreover, any activity can berepeated, any activity can be performed by multiple entities, and/or anyelement can be duplicated. Accordingly, while the present generalinventive concept has been illustrated by description of severalembodiments, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or inany way limit the scope of the inventive concept to such descriptionsand illustrations. Instead, the descriptions, drawings, and claimsherein are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not asrestrictive, and additional embodiments will readily appear to thoseskilled in the art upon reading the above description and drawings.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for dispensing unused animal waste bagsand carrying used animal waste bags comprising: (1) a chamber, saidchamber defined to have an inner surface, an outer surface, an affixedbottom and a removably attachable top; (2) a first means to attach saidchamber to a strap; and (3) a second means to removably attach a usedwaste bag to said chamber for temporary storage of said used waste bag.2. The device of claim 1, said removably attachable top having furtherdefined therein an opening for removing individual unused waste bagsstored in said chamber through said top.
 3. The device of claim 1 inwhich said first means provides a removable attachment to said strap. 4.The device of claim 2 in which said first means provides a removableattachment to said strap.
 5. The device of claim 1 in which said firstmeans provides an affixed attachment to said strap.
 6. The device ofclaim 2 in which said first means provides an affixed attachment to saidstrap.
 7. The device of claim 3 in which said first means is a clip. 8.The device of claim 4 in which said first means is a clip.
 9. The deviceof claim 3 in which said second means is a clip.
 10. The device of claim4 in which said second means is a clip.
 11. A method for dispensingunused animal waste bags and carrying used animal waste bags comprisingthe steps of: (1) Attaching a dispensing device comprising a chamberdefined by an inner surface, an outer surface, an affixed bottom, and aremovably attachable top on said strap, via said first means, near afirst end of said strap opposed to a second end of said strap attachedto an animal, wherein the device chamber carries at least one unusedanimal waste bag; (2) Removing said unused animal waste bag from saiddevice chamber and inserting animal waste into said unused animal wastebag, converting said bag into a used animal waste bag; and (3) Removablyattaching said used animal waste bag to said strap, via said secondmeans, for hands-free storage of said used animal waste bag forsubsequent, more permanent disposal.
 12. The method of claim 11 whereinsaid removably attachable top is attached to said chamber in a manner toprovide, alternatively, access to and closure of said chamber.
 13. Themethod of claim 11 wherein said first means provides a removableattachment to said strap.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein said firstmeans provides a removable attachment to said strap.
 15. The method ofclaim 11 wherein said first means provides an affixed attachment to saidstrap.
 16. The method of claim 12 wherein said first means provides anaffixed attachment to said strap.
 17. The method of claim 13 whereinsaid first means is a clip.
 18. The method of claim 14 wherein saidfirst means is a clip.
 19. The method of claim 13 wherein said secondmeans is a clip.
 20. The method of claim 14 wherein said second means isa clip.
 21. The method of claim 15 wherein said first means is providedby a sewn attachment.
 22. The method of claim 16 wherein said firstmeans is provided by a sewn attachment.
 23. The method of claim 15wherein said second means is a clip.
 24. The method of claim 16 whereinsaid second means is a clip.